Wellmark BCBS Seeks CMS Nod for New Medicare Advantage Plans

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield announced plans to offer Medicare Advantage options to Iowa and South Dakota residents during the annual enrollment period this fall. The products, which will be offered to Medicare beneficiaries through the payer’s new affiliate Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, have been submitted for approval by CMS.

1. New Offerings: Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield will offer new Medicare Advantage plans to Iowans and South Dakotans this fall, pending approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Our new affiliate, Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, will offer the new Medicare Advantage options during this year’s annual election period October 15 through December 7, for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2022.
2. Huge coverage: Wellmark Advantage Health Plan is a health insurance company serving consumers in Iowa and South Dakota. The company is an affiliate of Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Wellmark Advantage Health Plan, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For its inaugural year, Wellmark Advantage Health Plan will offer coverage in select Iowa and South Dakota counties. Consumers interested in learning more can sign up to be notified when additional plan information is available.
3. Best healthcare: “We are confident the new Medicare Advantage options will complement Wellmark’s existing Medicare product offerings to provide consumers with solutions that best meet their needs,” the company’s Medicare Advantage vice president, Jason Humphrey, said in the statement. “We look forward to sharing more details later this year pending final approval by CMS.”
4. Enhanced combination: Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C combines traditional Medicare — parts A and B — into one comprehensive, easy-to-manage plan along with additional health-enhancing benefits. Plans often include coverage for prescription drugs, routine vision, and eyewear coverage, dental coverage, hearing aids, fitness center memberships, over-the-counter medications/supplies, and clinical support.
5. Provider of basic needs: “We are excited to introduce Wellmark Advantage Health Plan and our products to Iowa and South Dakota” said Jason Humphrey, Wellmark’s Vice President of Medicare Advantage. “Our Medicare Advantage plans will provide consumers with the benefits, network, and price points that meet their unique needs. Just as important, the plans are backed by the quality, value, and trust they have come to expect from Wellmark.”